Those who oppose plans for a tuna ranch in the Pacific Ocean off Golfito will be marching to the environmental ministry today to get the project canceled.

Fundación Vida Marina says representatives of more than 15 groups from the Golfito area will gather at Parque Nacional this morning and begin the march about noon uphill to the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía.

The protesters say that keeping tuna fish captive in giant cages just offshore will generate waste and garbage that will ruin the quality of the Gulfo Dulce.

The size of the project is staggering. The tuna firm, Granjas Atuneras de Golfito S.A., wants to construct underwater holding cages 7.4 kms. (4.6 miles) long and 2.1 kms. (1.3 miles) wide. The cages would be down 22 meters into the water, some 70 feet.

The tuna farm would be about a kilometer (six-tenths of a mile) off the coast. The firm seems to have the required approvals. The farm would be stocked by young yellowfin tuna purchased from local fishermen.

Nevertheless, some organizations of fishermen are joining the protest, according to the organizers: the  Cámara de Pescadores de Golfito, the Cámara de Pescadores de Zancudo, the Camara de Pescadores de Punta Banco, and Pescadores de Rio Claro.

Some environmentalists say they think the existence of cages under the water will endanger whales, dolphin, turtles and other creatures.

The protesters today want the ministry to revoke the approval of its Secretaría Técnica Ambiental. Otherwise, they say, they will bring the case to court.

The purpose of the cages would be to fatten the young tuna under controlled circumstances and keep them nearby for harvesting when demand requires it.